“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
December 4, 2018 - For one searching for salvation this verse may be confusing as those searching have not yet found and so understanding has not yet come to those who still seek.
The gift of life is given through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross of calvary. By his death Jesus took the sin of all mankind and cast them into the deepest sea, fulfilling the Father’s requirement for forgiveness and salvation.
As we accept Jesus as Lord we too are released from the penalties of sin, as Jesus, we too are then dead to the world but forever alive in Christ, forever in service to the One who died for all, that all might receive the gift of life eternal.
“But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive (sin), so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code (Mosaic Law).” (Romans 7:6)
For one to die without salvation the penalties for denying Christ as Lord is to die what is called the :second death”, or the death of one’s spirit. Physical death comes to all people but death of the spirit only comes to those who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Sovereign Lord and Master.
All those are condemned to an eternity of darkness, separated from God, being tortured and tormented forever. All the while realizing that all they had to do to prevent this second death was to accept Jesus as their Lord.
“There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2)
For by Christ’ death and resurrection; death, hell, and the grave has been defeated. Christ has overcome the world, the devil and all his deceptions and all who follow Jesus, by his power, also overcome the same.
“For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:3-4)
For all who have accepted Jesus as Lord and have received salvation from the penalties of sin are no longer living in the world but in the Spirit of Light which is the Lord Jesus Christ. No longer controlled by fleshly passions but led by the Spirit of God so that we understand the prophecies of the Book of Life, God’s Word.
“Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.” (Proverbs 30:18)
Without spiritual knowledge one cannot determine what is good or what is evil and will be led by the devil into the pit of destruction that is known as hell.
But, for those who are led by the Spirit of God their steps are illuminated by the glory of God that they can walk and not stumble as their paths are made straight and level by the Lord.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)
No man can know how majestic the kingdom of God is, how beautiful or how wonderful our lives spent in heaven with Christ will be.
We can only look forward to it and patiently wait for that glorious day when he will call each of his own home to be with him forever. May you find his blessings and gain understanding into his salvation…
